Album
Portishead
Third
[Island]
Artist: Portishead
Released: 28 April 2008
Catalogue number: 1764013
Review
by Chris Jones
15 April 2008
Back after ten years, Bristol's Portishead now make Radiohead look like the Monkees. Bleak times deserve bleak music, and here it is. Maybe it's Beth Gibbons' voice. It doesn’t have range – but it does have the singular ability to be compressed, filtered, distorted and mangled any way that Geoff Barrow sees fit, and still survive intact. She can be a wailing banshee or some withered crone, but always vulnerable and distraught. And the relentless 21st century-ness of it all means that this time the band will have neatly sidestepped the fate of their first album, Dummy (and also many who came in their wake): that of becoming this summer's dinner party accompaniment. Put this on over the scallops and seagrass and you'll be discussing the sheer pointlessness of existence, rather than house prices.
The angst is couched in personal rather than socio-political terminology: On Magic Doors Beth's ''emotionally undone''; on Threads she's ''always unsure'' while on Nylon Smile she doesn’t know what she's done to deserve him/her/it; but she can't live without it. Sex? Drugs? Love? It all fits the bill.
So far, so familiar: But sonically Third is extraordinary. Anyone foolish enough to still label this 'trip hop' will be floundering. The band now deals in a kind of psychedelic, post-industrial disjointedness. It's more like trip stop. Adrian Utley's contributions remain as awesome as ever. On Small he revives the spirit of Syd Barrett as he thrashes his echo-laden six strings against an organ raga.
The cinematic quality of their work remains, but despite Portishead's trick of sounding like they come from hellish '60s spy movie there are signs they've listened to what's been going on over the last few years. Ironically this often means that Third comes over as very post punk. Squelchy analogue synthesizers are a big, repetitive but almost totalitarian presence. The throbbing Machine Gun reminds one of Wire or even DAF with technology being pushed to its limits. On The Rip they progress from folk to krautrock, yet for all its talk of ''‘white horses'' it’s not remotely close to the more lightweight sexual shenanigans of illegitimate offspring, Goldfrapp.
Third is also full of alarming juxtapositions. While they still employ the devastating trick of Gibbons' wail descending into a maelstrom who could have seen them turning out the 'jolly' ukulele-driven fever dream of Deep Water? On Hunter the electronics intrude into the mix like a piece of Len Lye's abstract celluloid cut into a Bergmann movie. And the 'noise' at the heart of the only track that could be considered danceable - Magic Doors – will keep sound engineers perplexed for years.
In fact, in ten years you'll still probably be hard pressed to find anything that sounds remotely like Third: Unless they make another album. Breathtaking…
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you choose to use this review on your site please link back to this page.
Zamfir, Umeå
It'll take a while until it settles, but it keeps getting better and better. It's original, to say the least.
Mungo Gubbins, Bangkok.
Excellent, groundbraking album and a perceptive well written review IMHO.
chris battrick SOUTH WALES
portishead first 2 albums are amasing, 2 be honest its going to be very hard to live up to, iv heard alot of people slate the new album.?? regardless there are some complete jems on this album including "machine gun" & "the rip", beth gibbons still has that "haunting" voice, without a doubt they havent lost it.......
Tommy, Spain
Only half way through listening to this album, but loving it already.. I actually gave up on waiting for them to release this, then to find it out of the blue was a very pleasant surprise indeed..Some fantastic songs on this. I took to the rip instantly..
George, West Bromwich
Dear Chris in AustraliaToo many words for you, you aussie idiot? It's not 'pedantic' you moron. This review is, as far as I can tell, a wholly positive, if a little wordy, piece of writing. What's the problem? Use a dictionary the next time you come to a BRITISH website.
K, Cardiff
After listening to this album for the 5th time I can safely say it's the most moving thing i've ever heard. Amazing.
Tim, Kent
Its a familiar yet different sound. I think many of the tracks are reminiscent of Dummy and Portishead - Plastic has a Biscuit and Mourning Air vibe. Threads has the familar silky noir malevolence of Sour Times - expect to see it as the theme to next year's seedy cop drama on ITV. However, refreshingly, they have taken a new and startling direction with others. Silence, We Carry On and current fave Small are the aggressive progoid anthems I occasionally crave (having eschewed almost all of Yes over a decade ago), and headbanging whilst driving (still with eyes on the road) to them is involuntary - they are the Radiohead's National Anthem and Elbow's Newborn of this year. Your neck muscles are Portishead's slaves. Its a cracking album.
Chris, Australia
I have one main word in relation to Chris Jones' review...... What? That was a complete waste of a webpage. I have never heard such a pedantic load of junk. He must be on work experience from school or working for free. Portishead rule:)
carl ,florida
this work is what bitches brew was for miles
Sarah, London
Brilliant album. Chris Jones can't write a review to save his life. It's so hard to pick out a favourite track, I love them all!
Dean, New England
It still doesn't get any better than Portishead.Every song on Third is a journey. It was very enjoyable from start to finish.The Rip was my favorite track.Cheers.
David, Santiago (Spain)
Starts off a banger but everyone believes they must love P. It's good, no doubt, but they're experimenting with themselves and it sound tried, especially towards the end (don't know the names, just listen to the tracks).
Lisa - Australia (Brisbane)
i love this album man its gettin tricky to choose which order or songs i like first.i managed to get my other mates to like the album Dummy. (and trust me it wasn't easy when you got true blue Aus who won't surpport anything in another country)thanks once again Lisa
Hernie,Singapore
Heavenly haunting! Kudos to Gibbons,Geoff & Utley worth the 10 years wait!!!
Domo Finland
Well worth the wait!
Jody, the new forest
It's certainly different, I'm all for refreshing perspectives on music... but I'm failing to fall in love with the album like I did with Dummy. Understand that it needs some perceverence, but not sure I can dedicate that much enthusiasm to such a dark and disjointed soundscape. I must be in the wrong - everyone is telling me how great it is. Prefer the 'Burial' album which (to me) delivers where 3 fails...
Pete, Sydney
Absolutely brilliant, Silence and Threads are stunningly constructed.
JonBoy, Laaandan Taaan
Check out 'Machine Gun'. Absolute simplicity, but so evocative.
Andrew, Ebbw Vale
Genius, it is the best album I have ever heard - period! Please can we not have to wait another 10 years for the 4th album.
Xav, London
Sticking it to the banal post-modern dinner party dullards. This is harsh, downbeat and of our time. Totally still relevant. Machine gun is the first building burning anthem of the 21st century.
len, watford
after reading this i can't wait to get it bought!
Me, Dublin
Amazing album, amazing band, the gig at atp in december was fantastic, cant wait to see em again.....
James, Reading
I downloaded this last month - but have preordered it and look forward to it dropping on my doorstep.It's a tremendous album. I already hold it in the same sort of esteem as Portishead and Dummy, and can see it surpassing both. It really is that good.Give it a few listens (for on first listen it is a shock to the system), and it rewards you more than you could ever imagine.Wonderful.
N- Manchester
Great at Hammersmith Apollo- still producing top albums.
Karl, London
The album is great as was the gig at Brixton last week. The review does not do the band or the album justice.Portishead are not everyones cup of tea granted, but musically is fabulous and if you like their previous 2 albums you will love Third
risco
I must have downloaded a different album because it's rubbish. Sounds more like 60/70s industrial sound design.
John, Portishead
Its gonna be epic! and it overs due even for me.
dave, london
i've never read such a rubbish review in my entire life, you can't write
neil ashford kent
thank god someone still has a open mind, heard machine gun the other night, keep on bringing music , its all gone otherwise. thanks
Bunbury, Shanghai
Really love this album... Now, by the Machine Gun I can survive the bloody depressing time of spring here...
Stevo, Birmingham
Went to Wolv's gig. New album sounds very different. No big dub bass and drums, more kind of industrial rhythms. Still definitely Portishead, but for a new decade.
John Grieves, Wakefield
I have always loved Portishead and with this album they have made something truly spectacular; an album incredibly refreshing that begs repeated listenings and is not shit.
Sot, Somewhere Alone
It's just magic. Once again, after all these years. And it's haunting. The whole of it...
pele, jonestown
you're an idiot
Richard, Bournemouth
Cannot wait for this. A welcome return from one of the gems of British music.
Keith Glasgow
Went to the Edinburgh gig on Saturday. Breathtaking is right.
Collette, Lewes
Don't know what the f*** you're talking about Chris, but "Breathtaking..." sounds good - can't wait to hear it.
Richard, Kent
I can't wait....
Rob, London
Going to the London gig tonight with a broken leg. From your review it sounds like the must have accessory! Joking apart I can't wait.Glad to hear they are still innovating.Bring it on...
Luke, work hell
The Brixton gig was the highlight of the year. And Bjork tomorrow....
JonBoy, Laaaandaaan Taaan
Can't wait to get my ears around it
Paul, London
This album, from what I've heard is absolutely amazing. I'm so glad they didn't go down the same route as their last releases but at the same time haven't lost what they were about in the first place. The Brixton gig will be the highlight of the year